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The following are questions submitted via email by our visitors.

If you have a question about Altemus books that you'd like answered please click on the Questions link at the bottom left of this page.

We recommend that those inquiring about the identification of a particular book format send pictures along with their question.

 

Click thumbnail images to enlarge.

 

Questions & Answers
Date Series Num Information
10 Aug 2016 125

Little Men and Women Series

Q:  I have a book of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I'd like to know if this is a first or second publishing?

A:  I cannot date your book exactly. But it is neither a first or second printing of this title.

Altemus published reprints of this title numerous times. The earliest were pre-1900 publications. Your book was published by Henry Altemus Company. Since Altemus incorporated in 1900, this volume is a post-1900 book.

The format appears to be from the Little Men and Women Series. This series was published between 1907-1925. The ads in the back of the book (if any) could help date your book more exactly.

For more information about the Altemus Alice's see: http://henryaltemus.com/alice/alice.htm.

The dust jacket for this book is shown here.


08 Aug 2016 143

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I purchased this book recently because of the beautiful cover and my love of Victorian literature. Could you tell me the publication date? Sesame and Lilies

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1906.

This format has been seen with four different flowers on the left side of the cover. It also originally came within a labeled box. See here for examples.

All the titles in this series are reprints.


06 Aug 2016 143

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I bought "Poe's Poems" in an antique store in Guthrie, Oklahoma for $6. I've searched the Internet for it and I cannot find it anywhere; whenever coming across your website, I entered the title and it said that nothing of the such was in the data base. There are also a total of 32 pages at the end of the book that lists others that were published by the Henry Altemus Company. In the front cover, as pictured, December 25th, 1910 has been written in - hopefully that gives insight into the general time it was published. If there's a year and also probably a value on the book, I would love to know that information.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. It was published in 1908-1909. As with all the titles in this series, it is a reprint.

This format originally came within a labeled box. See here.

You paid fair value.


03 Aug 2016 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Can you tell me about this book? The Lays of Ancient Rome. No dates anywhere in the book, but other books are offered in the back from $.40 to $1.25. Thanks!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1904.

It is a reprint with nominal value.

It originally was sold with a labeled box. See here.


01 Aug 2016 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have four books and I am trying to find out more information about them. I have attached photos of the covers.

They are Bryant's Poems, Evangeline and Other Poems, Milton's Poems, and Holmes' Poems. They were my wife's grandfathers.

I appreciate you taking the time to help me.


A:  Your books are from the Vademecum Series and were published in 1905-1906.

As with all of the title in this series, they are reprints. Originally they came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

None if these books have very collectible titles and therefore only have nominal value.


30 Jul 2016 186

Wee Books for Wee Folks Series

Q:  Hello, I have this copy of Little Black Sambo that I am trying to date. I am hoping you can help me. I've read your very thorough post, but as you can see my copy is different than the two samples you've shown on your site. I'd so appreciate any insight you can offer. Many thanks in advance.

A:  Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series.

Altemus first published this title in 1918. The copy without the dust jacket on the webpage was published between 1918 and 1920. The yellow cover lettering was noted in those years. Your copy was published between 1921 and 1934.

In order to date your book more precisely you need to look at the ads in the back of the book and at the endpapers. Dates for the endpapers are given here: http://www.henryaltemus.com/wee_books/index.htm.

If you need further help, let me know.


28 Jul 2016 202

Young People's Library

Q:  I have a copy of an Altemus 1895 format 1, Alice in Wonderland - Through the Looking Glass that has a blank spine but it refers to Gulliver's Travels on the inside ad page so I believe it is a second edition.

I'm trying to determine the book's value. Attached are photos of the cover and ad pages. Can you assist or me point in the right direction of whom I should contact? I truly appreciate your assistance.


A:  You have described your book perfectly. It is part of the Young People's Library, Format 1. This format was published between 1895 and 1898.

The early, absolutely first printing of this format list only to Through the Looking Glass. The later 1895 versions list to Gulliver's Travels (your book).

The two Lewis Carroll books in this series are in great demand. They are reprints but have very nice covers and numerous illustrations.

A $25-75 price range is reasonable.


26 Jul 2016 186

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  Good afternoon,
I have this books and I was wondering if it is worth anything?
The Little Puppy That Wanted to Know Too Much


A:  Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series.

Generally these books are desirable if they have dust jackets or are certain titles (Alice in Wonderland, Peter Rabbit, Little Black Sambo).

Since your book is not a very collectible one and has no dust jacket, it has little monetary value.

The dust jacket is shown here.


24 Jul 2016 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Can you give me info. on this book - Emerson's Essays Second Series published by Henry Altemus Co in Phila?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909 and 1912.

It is a reprint and originally was sold within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

It is not a title that is in demand and thus it only has nominal value.


22 Jul 2016 69

Classics Series/Vademecum Series

Q:  I have two small books with no dates (see attached for covers). The "Poems" book has someone's handwritten notation that reads "Downey, March 18th, 1894". Can you please tell me when these were published and if they have any value?

A:  The "Poems" entitled book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1894. It is a reprint. There are many Poe collectors out there and one if them may find your book of interest. I suspect less than $20 though. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm

The "Sonnets" is part of the Classics Series and was published in the 1907-1909 era. It is also a reprint. This book only has nominal value. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series69.htm


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